Up in the Clouds

Much better feeling head this evening. So, I worked further on this potential website background/personal piece as I listened to more of my next manuscript to illustrate. I must say it is an enjoyable story. It's always a good sign when I can forget about the "computer" voice doing the reading and just dwell on the narrative. Another day or so and I'll probably be ready to start coming up with cover ideas for that one.

Touch the Sky

It feels like someone is pounding on my skull at the moment, so I'll just post what I've been up to (image-wise) and explain later.

Logo Finished!

So, things are still slow on the actual illustration side of things and busy on the business side. Today I finished the fancy "name plate" logo I was working on. Plus, I "extracted" a simplified (monochromatic) version which I incorporated in my very first newsletter. After much fiddling the newsletter was sent! At the moment, the only people on the mailing list are contacts I've put there (clients and hopefuls), I do hope to get a page up where interested parties can sign themselves up though. Not to mention the global design-syncing that comes with a new logo design means I'll be very busy for the next couple of days. >_<

Ice Storms and Logos

I've been very very busy, mostly with business. I think I've got the accounting thing somewhat settled now (or is that just an "I hope"?) I'm in negotiations on the next likely project. It is a children's book painting to be included with the author's submission packet. I've been spending a good bit of the past couple days working on a logo for my illustration business. Not done yet, but see below for the present state. :)

I'm very glad that I got the battery replaced in my Blackout Buster, as we've been inflicted with a major ice storm and very strong winds as of late. Nothing scares me worse than my computer shutting itself down before I can save what I'm doing. When the 8-year-old battery was in, it would shutdown without warning. Even if it was just a surge. Rumor has it there is another ice storm coming.

Business Developments II

Yesterday, I did three major things for my illustration business. First I went to the Clerk of the Court and registered my business name: Laura Diehl Illustration. Next I visited the Town Hall and purchased a business license. The one bad thing about getting this now is that it is due to expire on April 30, which for full price ($25) is kind of a crappy deal. But I needed that business license number for the next step... which involved a trip to my bank. There I finished filling out the paperwork and opened an account for the business Laura Diehl Illustration. So, I guess that means the business is official.

I just wish getting Quickbooks up to speed with all of the transactions since January 1st were that simple.

Business Developments

Some business developments today. :) First I met with a councilor at JMU's Small Business Development Center at 10:00. The meeting lasted for around an hour and was much more helpful than I had anticipated. Most of the discussion was about accounting software, tax considerations and start-up business stuff (like trade names, DBA, and local ordinances). Enough to make my head swim. I've got a long to-do list now.

Second, my postcard order came from Overnight Prints. It actually looks pretty decent! That means I need to go ahead and purchase that list from Agency Access that I made some time back and get some blank slicker label pages.

Third, I purchased the domain names: laura-diehl.com, ldiehl-illustration.com, and lauradiehl-illustration.com ...all to be parked to my main ldiehl.com domain name. I feel for $10 a piece this is a worthy investment.

Lighting and Chainmail

I'm not sure what all I did, all I know is that it took all day. I did try to address the lighting on the character issue, as well as work on smoothing and detailing parts of his costume.